Fundraising Consultant

We are seeking an energetic, highly experienced and skilled Fundraising Consultant (or Consultancy) to devise a fundraising strategy for a major capital project. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of this small organisation with big ambitions. As well as building the fundraising infrastructure, the right candidate (s) will enjoy a close relationship with the team (including Trustees) and therefore excellent interpersonal skills are essential.

About the Organisation

Bretforton Grange & Theatrebarn is a registered charity (charity number 510625) seeking to enrich and preserve culture, heritage and creativity. The Estate consists of a Grade II listed monastic Grange (currently uninhabitable), a medieval tithe barn theatre with 178 seats, a restaurant and kitchen that can accommodate the same number, a walk-in dovecot, and various Grounds. Together, these spaces present limitless possibilities for servicing the needs of the local community, the creative freelance community, and for the development of theatre and performance.

The Grange was originally constructed as a communal living space for the monks of Evesham Abbey. Two unique spaces, a beamed hall in the attic and a stone undercroft were ideally suited to this purpose and have made the building attractive and adaptable to other uses, including the vision of the Charity. We intend to return the Grange to its original function as a communal living space for eight individuals to live and work together, harnessing the intrinsic flexibility and seclusion of the building for the testing and development of new work. The Charity has appointed Tuckey Design Studio as the conservation architects for this project.

Theatrebarn, which was converted from a medieval tithe barn, grew from the passions of the most recent inhabitants of the Grange in the early 1980s. Previously used as an entertainment venue by personal invitation only, the Charity is committed to opening the venue up for the creative enjoyment of everyone as well as being used to create and develop work in.

Currently, the team consists of specialist freelancers, led by Executive Director Dafydd Rogers, and a Board of Trustees.

Bretforton Grange and Theatrebarn has three core purposes:

1. To serve the local community, enriching their lives through art, culture, social, and educational opportunities.
2. To be a residential place for new work to be developed, created and tested in a safe, accessible, and immersive environment.
3. To improve the lives and wellbeing of creative freelancers by being a haven for them to rest, work, share skills, and collaborate.

Scope of the Project:

This project aims to transform the Estate into a fully operational, accessible destination.

Key capital objectives include:

• Converting the historic Grade II Grange into a communal living/working space for creative residential groups.
• Making the site accessible to wheelchairs users including a new front entrance for the theatre, accessible toilet facilities, and paths across the site.
• Installing and future proofing digital and technical infrastructure.
• Enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of various spaces, including the bar, office space and Grounds.
• Adding additional residential facilities such Shepherd s Huts, bell tents / yurts and the infrastructure associated with this
• Ensuring our future energy-efficiency including insulation and sustainable energy sources.

Scope of Work

Phase I: To provide a detailed, well researched and achievable fundraising strategy for a capital campaign, to raise c.£5 million (and the purpose of this initial tender brief).

Phase II: To implement the capital campaign fundraising strategy and achieve target within a mutually agreed timeframe, working closely with the organisation s Development Officer as mentor and with the wider team, including Trustees.

Phase III: To design and build a 5 year revenue fundraising strategy and advise on its implementation on an ongoing basis.

Phase I (this tender):

We are seeking a dynamic, experienced Fundraising Consultant or Consultancy to design and build a comprehensive fundraising strategy to achieve our campaign fundraising target of c.£5 million to secure the future of the organisation through improvements to its buildings and grounds to enable the organisational vision to be realised. The consultant (s) will:

• Assess the feasibility of the campaign.
• Suggest a realistic timeline for the project with clear goals and actions.
• Identify well researched potential funding sources, exploring public funding, charitable trusts/foundations, gifts from individuals, corporate sponsorship/partnership and community fundraising initiatives.

To apply, please provide the following information:

CV/resumes for all consultants to be engaged in the project

Evidence of successful track record with projects and/or organisations that are relevant to this engagement

Proposed approach and activity plan

Proposed fee and delivery structure

Details of two referees (please indicate if you are happy for these to be contacted before appointment)

Process of appointment:

Please apply by noon on 16 October

Interviews will take place at the end of September with the Director and Trustees

Appointment made early November and consultancy to begin.

We envisage this is a 10/12 week contract initially, with an opportunity to be engaged for further phases of the project

Remote working required as well as visits to Bretforton for meetings.